I was introduced to Barclays through a recruiter and they set up a technical interview which lasted 2.5 hours. There was a short coding exercise and many core Java theoretical questions. I didn't know everything but I think I did okay. Guys on the call were alright and that part was fine.

Second round was a call from top management guy talking about the position and asking various questions to determine how well would you fit for the role. The role was called "Java Developer" but he was repeatedly mentioning that the focus of the role/team shifted lately mainly on DevOps/systems stuff (one example I remember: updating to new Windows server version lol), and that you are required to work weekends from time to time plus having 24/7 on calls. Questions like how do you handle heavy bureaucracy, how would you react if you are asked to stay long overtime on weekend and also that everybody in company gives 3 times more effort than is normal in different company and if am okay with it. And when I said yeah he asked something similar in the sense really? I want you to be really really sure. Yeah am sure man, c'on.

I mean I replied either positively (yeah no problem) or very diplomatically (well nobody likes working weekends but what needs to be done needs to be done so am fine with it!) to everything but man let me tell you I was thinking whoah this guy really wants to persuade me I shouldn't take it for some reason, it was weird.

Anyway I said am definitely interested BUT only if the overtimes are compensated of course (required by law anyway) and if there is at least 50% coding related work (I think that's only fair for Java developer position no?).

Day or two after I got email from my recruiter that it didn't work out. So I assume some of the conditions couldn't be met.

Mixed feelings here if you ask me, I wanted to get an offer but on the other hand the management guy pretty much accomplished me not having much interest in the company anymore :)

At this point am thinking what if he knew it's really bad position he wanted to save me lol, thanks man.

1st interview - Abstract class/interface, immutable, HashMap, threads, equals/hashCode etc

2nd interview - Where do you see yourself in five years, how do you handle stress/conflicts/long working hours etc